Hay fork



J. 27, 1948 BAKER 2,435,119

I HAY FORK Filed Jan. 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I nventor GERALD 1'. BAKER Jan. 2'], 1948. G. T. BAKER 2,435,119

HAY FORK Filed Jan. 2 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GERALD T..' BAKER Mfimwy EM? I u ventor Patented Jan. 27, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAY FORK Gerald T. Baker, Clearwater, Nebr.

Application January 2, 1945, Serial No. 571,046

6 Claims.

This invention relates to hay fork and more particularly to such a device adapted for the loading and unloading of hay and similar products.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved hay fork, adapted particularly for mounting on a tractor or the like, for movement from place to place; and operated by the motor of said tractor.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such an improved hay fork which may be advantageously used for stacking hay, for loading hay racks, for filling feed racks, for hauling hay from the stack, or placing it into the hay rack from the stack, or moving loads of hay, feed or the like from place to place.

Still other objects reside in the provision of such a device which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, install, and operate.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there are shown two preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view, certain parts thereof being indicated by dotted lines, of one form of device embodying the instant inventive concept.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing certain constructional details, other parts thereof being omitted.

Figure 3 is a plan view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of a modified form of construction, and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Figure 4, certain parts thereof being broken away.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the modification disclosed in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, there is gena boom It, the opposite end of which is suitably mounted for pivotal movement on a tractor or the like (not shown); a rope I! suitably secured adjacent the extremity of the boom 16 is adapted to extend to the winch or the like normally carried by the tractor (not shown) by which the boom may be raised and lowered.

Slidably positioned within the square aperture comprising the interior of tubular member II is a square or rectangular rod or bar 20 to the lower extremity of which is secured a block 2|. Block 2| has pivotally secured thereto as by means of pivot pins 22 positioned in flanges 23 thereof, extending in angular relation at the corners of the same, a plurality of tines 24 curved as at 25 and terminating in points 26.

Pivotally secured to the tines 24 at a point below the bend 25, as by means of pivot pins 2?, are links 28. The opposite ends of links 28 are secured as by means of pivots 29 to arms 30 extending from a block-like member 3|, having a square aperture therein adapted to surround the bar or shaft 20. I

Th upper portion of block member 3| termi- 25 mates in a flange 32 adapted to be engaged by the lip 33 of a latch member 34 pivotally secured to the member II as by a pivot 35 passing through suitable lugs, 36 mountedthereon. The other extremity of latch 34 terminates in an angled portion 31 to which is secured a rope or cord 38 passed through an eye 39 integral with or secured to the lower side of the enlarged portion 12 of the member H. Th opposite end of the rope 38 extends to a suitable point adjacent the operator of the device. A spring 40 positioned between the member H and the latch 34 serves normally to bias the same to open position in the absence of pressure exerted by the rope 38.

A lifting rope or cable 4| extends from the winch of the tractor over the pulley l3 and is then secured in any suitable manner to the rod 20. l

From the foregoing, the operation of the device should be readily understandable. When it is desired to'lift a load of hay, the fork being in open position, the rope 38 is pulled closing the latch 33 to engage the flange 32 to hold the fork in open position or the position as shown in Figure 1. Then th device is moved to the hay to be lifted, the latch 33 is released by relaxing the pressureon the rope 38, the spring 40 biasing the same away from the flange 32, and the member 30 drops by the force of gravity, to a point adjacent the block 2!, thus permitting the points 26 of standable.

3 the tines 24 to engage a quantity of hay to be lifted.

After the tines have engaged such a quantity of hay force is exerted on the rope 4|, which causes the member 20 to slide inwardly within the channel or bore in the member I I, thus raising the block 3! therewith to a point where it may be engaged by the latch 33. As long as the force is exerted on the member 23 by the rope ll, the tines will remain in closed position. However, when it is desiredto dump the loadiof hay or the like, the latch 33 is moved into operativ position and the pressure on the rope ll is re.-

leased. Thereupon the force of gravity permits the member 20 and its associated mechanism to drop to the position shown in Figure l; the. members 36 and their associated links being retained in a position adjacent the extremity of the member H, which occasions an opening movementgof the tines permitting the -dropping of the load.

Having reference now to the modifications shown in Fi'gures 4 ands, there is disclosed a hay forkembodying this inventive concept adaptedjto be utilized in conjunction with a tractor or the like having a hydraulic lift mechanism associated therewith.

This device is comprised of a suitable cylinder 56 adapted to, be secured in any desired manner to the end, of a boom (not, shown), suitably secured for pivotal movementto a tractor, or, the like (not shown), Within the cylinder 50 are positioned two oppositely disposed hydraulic sleeves and 62 within which, are mounted the oppositeextremitiesof a, piston 53, at a mid-point of which is positioned a block or flange 54 provided with extending portions 55 adapted to extend outwardly through suitable slotted apertures in the sleeve 50. Pivotally secured to eachof the, extensions 55, as by pivots 56 are links 51, the opposite extremities of, which are pivotally secured as by pivots 58totines 53 similar in configuration tothe tines 24. The inner ends, of the tines 24 are pivotally secured as by pivots 60 between suitable bifurcations (il in a block 62 secured to, or integral with, the base of the cylinder 59;

A suitable flexible tube 65 engages an inlet 66 for a hydraulic fluid in the upper extremity of the-sleeve 5i, and a corresponding flexible tube 61 engages an inlet 68 in the lower extremity of the sleeve 52. From the foregoingthe operation of this modification should be readily undersuitable manner from a suitable source thereof (not shown) associated with the tractor through the tubing 65 and the inlet 66 into the sleeve 5'! forces the piston 53 downwardly and holds the same securely in downward position, thus forcing thepoint of thetines 59 inwardly, and securely holding the same within and about a load of hay or: the like. Conversely, when it is desired to dump the load, the pressure forcing the fluid through the line 65:may be released and the fluid introduced through the tube 61 and the inlet 68 into the sleeve 52, whereupon the piston 53. is forced upwardly-against the pressure of" gravity todrop the load and move thetinesato-theopen.

position shown in'Figure 4;

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein-provided an improved hay fork adapted to be utilized with any suitable tractor, having either winch or hydraulic means for operating the same associated therewith, which accomplishes all of the objectsof thisinvention and others including many advantages of great practicalutility and commercial importance.

Introduction of hydrauilc fluid in anysaid carrier having closed outer ends and said tonrod reciprocable in said cylinder, a crosshead secured intermediate said piston rod, a plurality of; links beingpivoted to said cross head, said tine assembly pivoted to said carrier and to said links.

2; Ina hay fork in combination, a support, a tine; assembly adjustably depending from said support, a carrier having a transverse slot intermediate itsends alinedhydraulic cylinders disposed in' said" carrier" on opposite sides of said transverse slot, pistons joined by a common piston rod' reciprocable in said cylinder, a crosshead securediintermediate said pistonrod, a plurality of links being pivoted to said crosshead, said tine assembly pivoted to :said-carrier and to said links,

said carrier having closed outer ends and said cylinders constituting annular walls depending from said closedouter ends.

3; In ahay fork in combination, a support, a tine assembly adjustably depending from saidsupporta carrier having a transverse slot intermediate its. endsyalined hydraulic cylinders disc ed n aid. carri on. opposite si s o d transverseslot, pistons joined by a common piston rod reciprocable in said cylinder, a crosshead securedintermediate saidpiston rod, a plurality of links being pivoted to said crosshead, said tine.

assembly pivoted to said carrier and to said links,

cylinders constituting annular walls depending from said closed outer ends and being open at their innerendsinto said transverse slot.

4. In ahay fork in combination, a support, a

tine, assembly adjustably, depending, from said support, a carrier having a transverse slot intermediate its ends, alined hydraulic cylinders disposed in said carrier on opposite sides of'said transverse slot, pistons joined by a common piston rod reciprocable in said cylinder, a crosshead secured intermediate said piston rod, a. plu rality of links, being pivoted to said crosshead, said tine assembly pivoted tosaid carrier and to saidilinks, said 'carrier having closed outer ends and said cylinders constituting annular walls depending from saidclosedouter ends, the outward faces of said pistons being alternately operable as power surfaces and the inward faces of said pistons being'open-to the atmosphere.

5. In a hay fork in comb nation, asupport, a tine, assembly adjustably depending from. said support, a carrier having a transverse slot intermediate its ends, alinedhydraulic cylinders disposed in said. carrieronopposite sides, of said transverse slot, pistonsjoined by a common piston rod reciprocable in said cylinder, a crosshead secured intermediatesaid piston rod, aplurality of links being pivotedto said crosshead, said tine.

assembly pivoted to said carrier-and to said links, said crosshead being guided by the wells of said transverse slot and extending therebeyond. said.

6. In a. hay' forkin combination, .a support, a.

GERALD T. BAKER.

REFERENCES QKTEB The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 247,829 Johnson Oct. 4, 1881 321,158 Thompson June 30, 1885 344,222 Thomas June 22, 1886 1,039,737 Hester Oct. 1, 1912 1,129,664 Gilchrist et a1 Feb. 23, 1915 2,227,793 OKeefie Jan. 7, 1941 

